Data Center developer holds community meeting on potential Sulphur Springs project
CyrusOne held a community meeting in Hopkins County, Texas, to discuss a potential data center project near Sulphur Springs. Residents raised concerns about noise and water usage, while the project faces ongoing legal challenges regarding land use and power generation capabilities. A judge has issued a preliminary ruling affecting the land's use for power generation.
CyrusOne, a data center developer, hosted a community meeting for residents of Hopkins County, Texas, to discuss a proposed data center project outside Sulphur Springs city limits. The project, planned for the site of the old Thermo mine, is still under consideration and not finalized. Katy Hancock from CyrusOne stated the company is committed to community dialogue before fully scoping the project with the City of Sulphur Springs.
The proposed development could represent a $2.6 billion investment, creating 30-40 permanent jobs per data center building and over a thousand construction jobs. CyrusOne indicated the data center would be self-powered using natural gas, with future grid connection possibilities, and that they would cover infrastructure upgrade costs. Each building is estimated to use approximately 1,000 gallons of water daily.
Residents voiced concerns, particularly regarding potential noise pollution, referencing that they can hear Interstate 30 four miles away. Gene Alessandrini of CyrusOne addressed ongoing legal battles concerning the land, noting that the former landowner is suing the City of Sulphur Springs and previous developer, MSB Global, over alleged violations of the land deed regarding power generation. A judge has ruled that the land cannot be used for power generation while lawyers prepare for a trial set for next year, a situation CyrusOne says could delay the project. The company plans another community meeting before any formal announcements are made.